Matthew 22:19

"But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?"

Key Reflection

Jesus' question exposes the deceitful intentions behind the Pharisees' inquiry about paying taxes to Caesar, highlighting their insincere motive of trapping him in a legal or religious dilemma. By calling them out as hypocrites, Jesus reveals their true intent is not seeking genuine understanding but rather finding fault with him.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 19. The tribute money. The money in which the tribute was paid. This was a Roman coin. The tribute for the temple-service was paid in the Jewish shekel; that for the Roman government in foreign coin. Their having that coin about them, and using it, was proof that they themselves held it lawful to pay the tribute; and their pretensions, therefore, were mere hypocrisy. A penny. A Roman denarius, worth about 14 cents, [sevenpence halfpenny.] {1} "penny" or, "In value, sevenpence halfpenny __________________________________________________________________

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